About the Role
You'll join The Oak Veterinary Group as Lead Veterinary Surgeon, combining clinical excellence with strategic leadership. Based in stunning West Wales, surrounded by the Pembrokeshire coastline and countryside, this role offers a rare opportunity to work closely with the Practice Director and influence the direction of an established practice while maintaining a strong clinical caseload (approximately 75%).
You'll lead a supportive team of six Veterinary Surgeons, a Senior Vet, Head RVN with student nurses and animal care assistants, a Practice Director, and dedicated support staff. The practice features an Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Surgery enabling complex orthopaedic and soft tissue work in-house, with several team members trained in acupuncture. Your working pattern is full-time (37.5 hours per week) with shifts between 8:00am–7:00pm Monday–Friday on a rota basis, plus Saturday mornings (8:30am–1:30pm) on rotation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and support the clinical team in close partnership with the Practice Director
- Deliver high-standard clinical care across a varied caseload including consultations and surgery
- Mentor and develop less experienced veterinary surgeons, facilitating case discussions and clinical workups
- Contribute to practice growth, team engagement, and a positive clinical culture
- Support business performance and operational success across primary care sites
Requirements
- Veterinary degree and RCVS registration (or eligibility to register)
- Experience working in clinical practice with growing confidence in routine medical and surgical cases
- Strong communication skills and ability to build effective relationships with clients and colleagues
- Proactive approach to learning with openness to feedback and development
- Professionalism, reliability, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team
- Leadership experience desirable but not essential—potential and motivation to develop in this area valued
Facilities & Equipment
The practice is exceptionally well-equipped with aquatic treadmill (hydrotherapy), physiotherapy and laser therapy equipment, massage and acupuncture services, full surgical facilities, dentistry equipment, in-house laboratory, ultrasound, radiography, and endoscopy.
Benefits
- Competitive salary up to £78,000 FTE (dependent on experience)
- Relocation allowance up to £5,000
- 6.6 weeks' holiday including bank holidays and birthday leave allowance
- £1,250 annual Care Fund Allowance for every vet
- Private medical insurance
- Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption, and surrogacy
- BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered
- Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (where eligible)
- Retail discounts and cashback offers
- Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
- Career pathways across primary care, referral, leadership, and specialist roles
- Funded learning and development including CPD allowance and access to IVC Academy training centres
- Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches, and peer networks
- Support to develop clinical interests and expand capabilities
About the Practice
The Oak Veterinary Group is a well-established small animal practice located in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, serving dogs, cats, and small pets. The practice is part of IVC Evidensia, the UK and Europe's leading veterinary care group comprising over 900 practices and referral hospitals united by a shared purpose of happier animals and happier owners.
IVC Evidensia is committed to building careers without limits, investing in learning, innovation, and wellbeing to create environments where teams grow in confidence, capability, and fulfilment. The group values diversity, equality, inclusion, and belonging, and is a Disability Confident Employer.
